SIDS need financial help in order to tackle climate crisis

From the past few weeks, the intensity of heat has been increasing day by day. More than 100 people died in India due to the heat wave. At the same time, Africans are facing heavy rain and others are struggling with severe droughts. 

In Geneva, the latest discussion on climate was done between Commonwealth Health Ministers. They discussed how climate change impacts the lives of people. Many diseases spread due to mosquitoes. Not just  malaria but also other serious illnesses like the recent dengue outbreak in Samoa.

Global action is required to control climate change. Since 1989, Commonwealth leaders have been asking for it. According to scientists, to prevent serious damage the temperature should be below 1.5 degree Celsius. 

But in February 2024, this critical point crossed. Also last year was the hottest year ever with temperatures more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, this year again the record could be broken. Increasing temperature will be the reason for more deaths, job losses and put a lot of stress on national services.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are hit hardest by these problems.

SIDS are important for the world. Even though only 3% of the Earth’s land is covered by Small Island Developing States. Furthermore, it protects 11.5% of the ocean’s special zones. This also includes different coral reefs and unique birds, plants, and reptiles.

However, climate change badly affects SIDS. The ratio of deaths on these lands is greater than other countries. Storms like cyclones and hurricanes can set back their growth for years. For example, in 2017, Hurricane Maria hit Dominica, causing damage equal to 225% of its GDP. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian destroyed parts of the Bahamas, making it look like a war zone.

Last year, Vanuatu was hit by a Category 5 cyclone, just seven months after two other cyclones had already caused major damage.

These lands also struggle to get climate finance. As per promise, they also don’t receive donations from developing countries. In 2019, they just received  $1.5 billion out of the $100 billion. 

In order to save the world from Climate disasters, it is important to help these islands and support them in every possible way. 

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are saying they’ve had enough and are pushing for better climate finance. At COP28, Commonwealth SIDS made significant progress on Loss and Damage.

Samoa, soon to be the Commonwealth’s Chair-In-Office, joined other small islands and vulnerable countries at the SIDS4 conference in Antigua and Barbuda. Leaders there called for clear financial goals and funding to help them deal with more frequent and severe natural disasters.

The Commonwealth is working to make sure SIDS’ voices are heard globally, while also giving practical help in areas like finance and disaster resilience.

The Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub has secured $330 million for the most vulnerable members, with another $500 million in project proposals on the way.

Climate finance advisors work with government officials in order to handle the situation and also make plans about how to stop the climate changes. 

For many years, lederas of different nations have been moving towards low-carbon, climate-resilient development.

But these actions are not enough. In order to cope with the situation, reliable climate funding is necessary. The Commonwealth Secretariat will keep pushing for more money for adaptation, mitigation, and resilience. Also vulnerable countries need it. 

This October, the next Commonwealth meeting will be held. It is the first time in history that a small Pacific island country is chosen for the meeting. The main purpose of the discussion is to assist all 56 member nations become stronger.

In order to make this action successful, the world needs to fulfill its promises regarding climate finance. If leaders take a step back from their promises then it hurts the most vulnerable people. Also taking no action on climate change could harm the success now and also in future. 

So to make a better world the call for climate funding will be louder. And also clear  from small island nations at the UN General Assembly in September and at COP29 in Baku in November.